Make Aruchal culture its USP to promote tourism: Governor

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, March 18: Aruchal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma on Tuesday stressed on the need for showcasing the state’s rich indigenous tribal heritage and ture’s bounty as the USP to promote tourism.

Iugurating the ‘Aruchal Spring Carnival’, the three-day tourism festival at Sile Leging near Pasighat in East Siang district, Sharma called for tapping the rich cultural heritage of the state, an official report said here today.

The governor advocated for ‘Home Stay’ concept involving local communities in all tourism initiatives.

“Pasighat and the entire Siang belt have a place and record of which we all are proud. The Poju Mimak reflects the valor, courage and bravery of the great sons of our soil. The mighty river Siang not only provide livelihood to the people but also a unique playground for water sports like Colorado. If properly tapped, these would open the floodgate of tourists coming to Aruchal,” he pointed out.

“We can also improve our tourism sector by taking care of few important factors, such as proper road and rail and air connectivity and accommodation facilities with clean and hygienic foods, ATM kiosks, handicraft and local crafts sales facilities and basic hygienic amenities at the halting points and en-route. The day is not far, when we will have largest number of tourists, both domestic and intertiol coming to Siang belt as favorite destition”, he added.

Greeting the people Sharma said, “You can be the path breaker with responsibility to set an example for the entire state. This centurion town can become a model for others.”

Calling for sustained efforts for creating more visibility and awareness on Aruchal Tourism and to bring the state under World Tourism Map he said, “With festivals like the Spring Carnival in different parts of the state, we can not only attract large number of tourist in the near future, but bring in investments in infrastructure sector to enhance connectivity, so vital for development.” Stating that Tourism has been recognised and accepted as one of the fastest growing sector of the global economy, he said the state should seize the great momentum.

“Our tribal hospitality must be maintained,” he said and called upon the youth to play a major role in promoting tourism in the state which, he said, could be a major source of livelihood for tribal communities.

On the efforts to boost the tourism sector, he said, the state government had introduced helicopter service to important tourist destitions.

“Infrastructural facilities including road communications are being constructed and created at war footing due to which the inflows of domestic and foreign tourists are increasing day by day. We must explore all the potentials,” he said.

“We must as a part of our tourism policy, continue to develop Aruchal Tourism giving equal economic opportunities to local communities and also to preserve the fragile eco-system and ethnic identity of the people. Tourism development paradigm has been formulated to achieve eco as well as culture sustaibility,” he pointed out.

On the occasion he urged all to preserve the rich flora and fau which the state has been blessed with and added that its preservation has a huge impact on the state and the tion, the report added.